Eagle County Open Space has a number of seasonal closures designed to protect winter wildlife habitat and reduce human and wildlife conflicts. These closures have annual dates, but exact dates may be altered depending on weather conditions and animal behavior. Please respect closure signs at trailheads and in the field, and check our website, social media, or contact Open Space staff with any questions.
County wide seasonal closure and year-round access information can be found here: https://www.vvmta.org/seasonaltrailclosures/.
Seasonal wildlife closures at the Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space
There is a seasonal closure on the Adams Way trail from 12/1-4/15. This closure aligns with other land managers in the area and is in place to protect wintering wildlife and critical habitat areas. The Three Sisters trail and Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space main trailhead is closed from 12/1-6/30.
More information on the Town of Eagle’s seasonal closures can be found here: https://townofeagle.org/177/Open-Space-and-Trail-Information
More information from the Bureau of Land Management can be found here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-activities/colorado/closures
Eagle River Preserve seasonal closure
The western portion of the Eagle River Preserve is closed 12/1-4/15 to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. See the closure map here.
Homestead L seasonal wildlife closure
Eagle County Open Space and Natural Resources is implementing a winter (12/1-4/15) seasonal closure on the southern portion of the Homestead L Open Space beginning in 2023. Below are links to information regarding the need for a closure and resources for the community.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife “A Quick Guide to the Importance of Seasonal Closures”
- Closure Map
- Information Packet from 12/9/22 Homestead HOA presentation
- Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance Wildlife Ambassador Training video from 12/7/22
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife Management plan for the Frying Pan River Elk Herd.- This is a thorough overview of the current status, and management objectives for the elk herd that ranges through Edwards.
- Vail Daily article from 6/16/2018. “Where has all the wildlife gone: CPW officials cite 50% drop in Eagle Valley’s elk population”
- Vail Daily article from 12/29/2021. “Recent snowfall brings humans and wildlife closer together as herds of elk and deer return to the valley.”
- Vail Daily article from 10/26/2022. “Trust our Land: Protect wildlife as seasons change.”
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife “Emblems of the West” video about the history, success, and perils of elk in Colorado.
ecg tv